Silver and Red, We Hail Thee

CM 74, Tantasqua 56

Congratulations to the CM Boys Basketball team for bringing back to Baker Street the Knights' first State Championship since 1969.

In the stands before the Division II State Championship game on Saturday evening, March 15, Sam Abi-Esber '11 and Pat Storer '11 were making their predictions. "CM 72, Tantasqua 68," Abi-Esber said. "But we've got to play strong defense."

Down in the front row of the student section, Joe McCarthy '10 was sitting with Jimmy Tieso '09 and some of the other JV players who had watched this magical season unfold from within the ranks of the program. "CM will win, 68-61," McCarthy said. "But Julian [Colarusso] and Brendan [Monteiro] have to lead the way and the bench has to score a lot also. This team can score a lot of points in a short amount of time."

After going down 12-3 in the first quarter, CM Coach Dennis Tobin called a timeout and coming out of that, the team indeed scored a lot of points quickly, putting 14 points on the board while Tantasqua started watching in shock. Nancy and Jeff Tagger Sr., junior Jeff Tagger's parents, watched from the front row. "I love CM, I love this school because so many of the teachers are coaches too," Jeff's mom said. "Coach Tobin never looks like he's losing his cool. The kids see that and they're calm too."

CM looked calm as Tagger, Monteiro, and junior Al Harris put on the press, forcing turnovers, and keeping up a fast pace as Colarusso and Monteiro poured on the points. The Knights took a 42-26 lead into halftime. Although Tantasqua rallied to bring the score within 10 points by the fourth quarter, the bucket was CM-friendly all night and the Knights took home the trophy.

Freshman Sam Abi-Esber, in the stands afterward, gave his honorary "player of the game" award to Julian Colarusso. "He never gave up, just kept on going for rebounds." Joe McCarthy '10 agreed: "Julian had a great game. We started out slow, but started to put the pressure on them."

Outside the locker room after the game, CM principal Mr. Richard Chisholm and president Brother James MacDonald credited the team for its rare accomplishment. "These seniors that led this team have been on a mission since last year and today was the fulfillment of their mission," Mr. Chisholm said.

"Thousands of graduates have been waiting since 1969 for a state championship and this group gave it to them," said Brother MacDonald.

Perhaps freshman Pat Storer summed up the momentous evening best. "It was a team effort. I knew they would bounce back after the first quarter. Tantasqua was good but CM was better and wanted it more. And I loved singing the fight song at the end."